Best Castors Buying Guide

 

There are so many different types of castors on the market and it can be difficult to find which are the best for your requirements. Luckily we have compiled this buying guide below so you can choose the perfect casters for your workbench or office chair.

What to Consider When Buying Caster Wheels

There are several things you should consider when looking to purchase new casters:

• Floor Protection

Plastic wheels are bad news for flooring and will often leave scratches or rubber marks behind. In fact, cheap caster wheels can destroy flooring over a short period of time and so it’s best to look for casters that have been manufactured from soft material such a polyurethane which is strong, durable and gentle on floors. This rubber material can be used on most floors.

 

• Noise

Again, hard plastic is a bad material for casters. Not only can it completely ruin your hardwood floor or carpet, but plastic caster can make a terrible noise too. Opt for a soft rubber coating for a smooth and silent caster.

 

• Brakes

Not all castors have been manufactured with a brake feature and so this is definitely something you will need to consider when looking to buy a set for your workbench. How often do you plan to move your workbench? If often, then look for a quick foot-activated brake system which makes engaging and disengaging the wheel a fast and simple process. Some brakes operate fully which means that they stop the wheel and swivel from moving at the same time, whereas others just stop the wheel from moving and not the swivel.

 

• Size

There are a wide variety of casters available and all come in different sizes. Take a look at the item you want to add casters too and especially if it’s a workbench you will have to take note of the height. Larger casters will give you a higher workbench and smaller casters a lower workbench.

 

• Use

Are you using the casters for work purposes or do you need casters for your home? You can buy casters for industrial and residential use, make sure you check if they are suitable for your needs before making a purchase.

 

• Budget

Don’t ever opt for cheap casters. Good quality casters will provide you with the best protection for your floor and equipment. Don’t ever compromise on quality.

 

Benefits and Uses of Casters

Caster wheels can be life changing in the right environment! They allow you to keep your workstations mobile, therefore opening up the space for new equipment or for cleaning duties. You can add casters to pretty much any type of heavy furniture in order to make it easier for you to move it around. Good quality casters will protect your floor and prevent scraping noises across the office or warehouse.

 

 

Types Of Caster Wheels

 

A caster is a wheel that has been designed to be mounted onto an object in order for you to be able to roll it across the floor. There are several types of casters available which include:

 

• Plate Caster

You will find this type of caster is the most commonly used. This wheel has a mounting plate with four holes which are used to screw onto the unit. You can also buy top plated casters with holes for alternate fittings.

• Locking Caster

Often casters have a locking feature that can prevent the wheel from rotating or swiveling. There are different types of brakes available: total lock, central locking or an add on butterfly brake.

• Stem Caster

These types of wheels are designed on a ‘stem’ and usually contain threading or a round/ square fitting that screws or connects into place.